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QuestionDrilling through tiles

Our bathroom is fully tiled and I'm looking to install a loo-roll holder and a shower curtain. Had a word with a few people that do DIY and they said diamond drill bits and such aren't really required, just some masking tape over the area and a low torque setting on your drill? Will this be ok?

Ideally a tile drill bit would be used, mask the area you want to drill initially so that the drill bit doesn't slip and off you go.
You can also use masonary drill bits, these perform just as well but are more likely to slip.
I have never used a standard bit, but should imagine that if they are sharp enough they would eventually get through.

Thin ceramic tiles - use a standard cheapy tile drill (£2-3). No need for masking tape, just put the tip where you want the hole, give the back of your drill a sharp whack with your free hand and drill away at a moderate speed with no risk or wander.

Porcelain tiles - a small diamond hole saw is necessary (maybe a fiver). Starting is much harder with these - without a guide of some kind, you have to start with the drill at an angle until you have made a start on the cut... then you can slowly level up the drill to start drilling a full hole. Unless you've shelled out for a high speed water cooled bit, you have to take it steady. I usually drill at low speed for twenty seconds max, then dip the bit into cold water for five seconds, then repeat.

The only tile I'd risk with a (brand new, razor-sharp) masonry bit is natural stone as they tend to have a bit more give than man-made ceramics, but there is still a risk of cracking the tile... so why not buy the right tool for job!

With great care this can work, but you do risk cracking the tile. The best way is to go to a diy store and buy an arrow head drill bit for drilling into tiles. These are inexpensive and will give you a professional finish.

Again use masking tape, sharp masonary drill bits. Dont use hammer action when drilling through the tile as it could crack it, keep it nice and slow! Switch over to hammer when you get through to brick... job done!

A tile drill bit every time!!! Arrow head type. if you use a sponge soaked in water and gently squeeze on the drill bit whilst drilling will keep the drill bit cool and therefore the bit will last longer, rgds Al

Hi,
Use a Dewalt masonary drill bit. These drills have a needle sharp point for penetrating the tile before the actual drilling begins. It stops the bit from slipping. Do not use on porcelain tiles. They cost a few pound from Screwfix Direct. That's all I use unless drilling porcelain where I use a diamond drill. Do not drill slowly or apply too much pressure. High speed drill with a little pressure. It will go like a knife through butter.
Ray

if your tiles are soft ceramic a arrow head bit is needed but for porcelain or hard ceramics a tile drill bit is needed , most tile retailers will stock a olympic tile bit £5 no probs for any tile no need for tape just keep dipping it in cold water good for 6-8 holes in most hard tiles .